Chilean priests defrocked for sex abuse

Santiago - The Vatican has defrocked two Chilean priests for committing sex abuse against adults and at least one underage minor.

The news was announced Friday by the Episcopal Conference of Chile.

An internal investigation by the Roman Catholic Church found that Daniel Pauvif Rojas and Casiano Rojas committed “acts that are gravely against the sanctity of the priesthood.” Both were part of the Copiapo diocese in northern Chile.

The conference site says Pauvif was suspended in October 2012, following a preliminary investigation. A formal investigation that concluded in June found Pauvif had committed sex abuse against adults.

The investigation against Casiano Rojas, which also began in 2012, determined he had engaged “in abusive acts against adults and one underage minor.”